chain tension noob

[Smitty]

......When you tighten the axel it "clamps" the swingarm thus moving the axel rearward.....

I struggle with this description as well Smitty, and could not make any sense of it ??

Only *remote* possibility is referring to eccentric chain adjusters ? but even then, once chain tension is set correctly, the eccentric pinch bolts either side should have only been loosened enough to allow the axle to rotate to the position required for correct tension......then the axle should not move 1 iota when you tighten the pinch-bolts ??

yeah Gos
I agree with that but still....
I am somewhat confused

[Slow and wobbly]

Sorry I haven't explained myself properly.
If you check your tension with the axel loose you will find it will change when the nut is tightened. Example: if the chain has play of 40mm when axle is loose then dont be surprised to find that it may only have 35mm of movement when axel is tightened because the axle has moved rearward from the adjusters as the swingarm clamps the wheel spacers.

There is also a conflict of information in regards to having someone sit on the bike. It would be very rare for anyone to do it but the link above to the Regina site states that to obtain a correct measurement of play then the front sprocket, swingarm pivot and rear axel should be aligned. And so how is this done without compressing the rear suspension?

[/quote]

[smek]

hmm I don't see this.
once you have tightened the adjusting bolt locks you would see a gap between the end of the adjusting bolt and the point on the swing arm it presses against if this were the case.
I get no movement after tightening the axle bolt.

[Gosling1]

...... Example: if the chain has play of 40mm when axle is loose then dont be surprised to find that it may only have 35mm of movement when axel is tightened because the axle has moved rearward from the adjusters as the swingarm clamps the wheel spacers.

You should never check the chain tension with a loose axle in the first place. It defeats the purpose straight away.....

Once you have adjusted the chain tension to the correct amount, then your chain tensioner 'blocks' or 'nuts' (as the case may be), should be seated firmly, and when you tighten up the axle nut, there should be *absolutely* no movement of the axle 'rearwards' as you indicate - if there is, you are doing the procedure incorrectly. ie - don't pull 'back' on the spanner, turn it around and push it 'forward' to tighten......

As far as 'loading' the suspension is concerned, if you are able to, then it should always be done with you sitting on the bike, in your normal riding gear - yeh I know this is difficult, and you need 4 arms as long as a gorilla to do everything , but it *should* be done this way - it ensures that the 'loaded' amount of freeplay in the chain will cope with any bumps in the road, and not over-tighten during suspension movement. ( which is the whole reason for free-play in the first place.)

If you cannot set free-play with the help of someone esle, then just set it up towards the 'higher' end of the range, and check it when someone is there to help.

(sorry for long post)

[Slow and wobbly]

You should never check the chain tension with a loose axle in the first place. It defeats the purpose straight away.....

And finaly we come full circle and get back to where we began.
Wazza go and buy a manual. Even the Portugese version couldnt confuse you more than we could.

[smek]

just watch one of these.

high res (31.2 mb)
http://70.85.12.34/~saf/chain_adjustment704k.wmv

low res (14.1 mb)
http://70.85.12.34/~saf/chain_adjustment308k.wmv

[wazza1234]

And finaly we come full circle and get back to where we began.
Wazza go and buy a manual.

Downloaded it. It would appear it is at the upper limit anyway, so with my lard arse on it it would be fine

[wazza1234]

repeating myself.